Month: June 2024

Showing Pride: Athens allies show support of community

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by Madison Connor
Hebron Christian Academy

“We have to be visible, we should not be ashamed of who we are,” said Sylvia Rivera, a prominent gay rights activist and leader of protests and Stonewall, about pride.

While said 22 years ago, it is still felt by many. Another reason why many feel they should not be ashamed is because they believe that their sexuality is not a choice. This is very similar to how ethnicity is not one’s choice, and we as a society know it is wrong to disregard or hate someone because of something they cannot control. However, this is not the case for many in the LGBTQIA+ community.  Yet, businesses can help overcome these discriminations they face by simply being welcoming.

“I think it’s imperative, it’s more than important, I think it’s necessary,” said Jo Thomas Wilson, a small business owner and operator of My Heart Salon in Athens, Georgia.

WIlson believes it is necessary for businesses to be welcoming, especially towards those of the LGBTQIA+ community. The reason why is that Wilson, as a queer business owner, feels that it is integral for those of the gay community to want to feel loved and welcomed, and that welcoming and loving members of that community pays off.

“The LGBTQIA+ community is willing to spend it [money] in places that see and support them… if you don’t want to support me then I think you don’t want my money, I’m gonna spend it somewhere else,” said Wilson.

Another reason why Thompson believes it is necessary to support the community is because of monetary opportunities. He said that if the community feels it is not welcome, they will not spend their money in that place, and from a business perspective, it is an avoidable loss of profits. 

But, for those who are looking to support the LGBTQIA+ community, Wilson has advice.

“They could hire people like myself to help facilitate these kinds of conversations considering I have a lot of experience, when we hire people who have lived through experience, that’s when we learn the most,” says Wilson.

Wilson, who believes that in order to be truly welcoming, said it is necessary for the company to be willing to hire those who identify as LGBTQIA+. The reason being that with members of the community on your staff, you learn and develop as a business from them. The personal experiences they bring helps provide insight into how to be welcoming to others in their community, making the overall environment a much healthier space. However, the inclusivity and support should not stop there.

“We ask them for their pronouns, we also ask if they have any sensory issues so we can accommodate for that. We have a form with every booking that offers help to get inside for those with physical disabilities and we donate to personal and organizational causes,” said Wilson.

Wilson believes that there are many other methods companies can use to be welcoming, and he listed a few methods his company uses. While some of these methods might not be applicable for every business, there are some methods that can be used for nearly every business. Simple practices like asking for pronouns and helping those with disabilities inside is something any business can do, and while it may be a small act, it will be greatly appreciated by many. 

Being welcoming pays off, literally. Businesses can also make efforts to be welcoming by hanging a pride flag or advertising as LGBTQIA+ friendly. This is something that My Heart Salon does, and it is a big step for businesses who have not done so before.

Count 34: How right-wing politics is running off Gen Z

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by Madison Connor
Hebron Christian Academy

The politics ruined it for me.

I grew up in a conservative Christian environment, being taught that women should be submissive and obedient, being taught that gay people were wrong, and guns are OK but abortion is not. This is exactly what caused me to run away from Christianity. The hatred spread from a loving religion seemed hypocritical, especially considering that God is supposed to see every sin as equal, meaning that if one thinks being gay is a sin, then the gay person is just as bad as one single lie told. However, I eventually realized that right-wing politics is what is causing so many to run away from the church. 

Another  factor for me, and many others in my generation, is the obsession with Donald Trump. The former reality star lost many of us when it was uncovered that he said, “Grab ‘em by the pussy,” when referring to women.

Many people have taken issue with this, and rightfully so. The former President clearly made a sexist statement, even if some argue it was taken “out of context,”although I’m not sure how this could be taken in context. Regardless, many young people have disdain towards Donald Trump over his racist tendencies, many sexual assault accusations, 34 felony counts, sexism, xenophobia and many of his other qualities that seemingly contradict everything Jesus Christ stood for. However, many right-wing voters — including conservative “Christians” — adore him.

Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Green even went so far as to compare Trump to Jesus. “President Trump is a convicted felon. Well, you want to know something? The man that I worship is also a convicted felon. And he was murdered on a Roman cross.”

It is crucial to remember that being arrested does not make you a hero. Several Nazis have been previously arrested, and everyone knows they were far from heroes. Aside from this logical inaccuracy, many believe that the Bible is pro-life in the same context of pro-life right wing voters. The Bible is used too often to justify the wrong issue, and to oppress groups who have been oppressed for far too long. This leads young people to  back away from religion due to the conservative aura that clouds it. Many young people see the MAGA Republicans purchasing Trump’s Bible(which was totally blasphemous), and decide they want absolutely no part in it, and who can blame them? The idea that Trump is some sort of Jesus in the flesh, being waved in front of Gen Z’s faces, makes many opt out of religion, when in reality, many of Trump’s positions are in stark contrast to what Jesus stood for.  However, just as in the past, today’s extreme conservatives use the Bible as a weapon.

“I think that they’ll use religion to justify the bad things they’ve done, like with slavery like they would tell the people they were capturing that it’s because of the Bible, and they make it an evil thing but it’s not supposed to be,” a classmate told me. 

Just as slavery was a core issue for conservative voters two centuries ago, right-wing candidates are honing in on issues of race, gender and sexuality. My generation has been known to be extremely open minded to those topics, causing them to veer away from the close-mindedness that characterizes many Conservative beliefs. Dr. Joe Dennis, a college professor at Piedmont University and Methodist Sunday School teacher, said he notices that young Christians are not aligned politically with older Christians.

“In my experience young people really don’t care about issues like race, gender, sexuality, they’re more concerned with the content of people’s character,” he said. 

Gen Z is the most LGBTQIA+ generation that we have seen so far. Historically, Christianity and Catholicism have not been welcoming to those who identify within that margin, and as a result, Gen Z has not welcomed those religions in return. 

Another contentious issue is abortion. While being “pro-life” stands as a core issue among conservative Christians, Gen Z largely disagrees. Interestingly, Judaism sides with Gen Z. 

“Jewish law does not share the belief common among abortion opponents that life begins at conception, nor does it legally consider the fetus to be a full person deserving of protections equal to those accorded to human beings.”

A fetus is not  a living being, and does not have the same rights as the mother. Abortion is especially encouraged if the mothers life is in danger.

The stark contrast of Judaism and its beliefs about abortion, compared to Christianity in the modern American context (which stemmed from Judaism) is far too important as well as ironic to ignore, almost begging the question of how on earth did conservatives take that stance? Honestly, who knows.

But, the conservative and heavy right wing political beliefs that seem to strangle American Christianity are far too potent for Gen Z to ignore, which is exactly what drives them away from religion. The teachings of Jesus almost completely contradict the statements and beliefs of conservative Christian’s, making modern Christianity and the Bibles’ current interpretation almost seem completely distorted or lost. Because it is.

Right-wing Christianity isn’t real Christianity. 

ChatGPT negatively impacts journalism industry

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Photo Credits: Crew via UnSplash

by Jadyn Barrow
Druid Hills High School

New technology and innovations are made each day and some become beneficial to the world and some don’t. ChatGPT is an AI tool used to assist humans and it was made on November 30, 2022 by OpenAI. With the creation of ChatGPT, more and more people began to use and rely on AI. Whether it was answering a simple question, writing a school paper or writing a paper for work. Although it was beneficial to some people, it’s deeply affecting my future and fellow journalists in many ways.

One of the main issues is that people claim the work of AI or ChatGPT as their own. As mentioned in Mashable, literary magazines, such as Clarkesworld, have been having issues regarding ChatGPT. When they were accepting submissions, they noticed that forms of AI were used to write literary pieces, which limits the creativity of the writer. I have noticed that when writers use ChatGPT, their work becomes boring and has no creative features, hence a robot is writing it. 

“What’s so important about journalism is following our journalism ethics and making sure things are factual and accurate,” said Kayla Renie, Newsroom Adviser of The Red & Black. “And when ChatGPT makes those mistakes, it puts a bad tone on journalists. So, I think as a whole, it could be confusing. Did a real person write this, did a journalist write this, did a member of my community write this, or was this a computer compiling all this information.” 

Photo Credits: Freddy Kearney

Fellow people have similar thoughts as myself, and it’s not limited to just journalists. Rodolfo Delgado wrote in Forbes, ‘As writers, our distinct voices and authenticity are what draw people in. Reflect upon the individuals you follow or enjoy reading about. More often than not, you’re drawn to them because you resonate with their thoughts, their persona. As a writer, if you heavily rely on AI to improve your grammar or refine your ideas, you risk losing yourself in the process. Consequently, you stand to lose your readers and followers.’ 

Therefore, when writers use ChatGPT work as their own, it looks bad on them and makes them look lazy and untalented. “Journalists are speaking for what’s taking place, so that our readers can be educated and connect, and AI doesn’t do that, it takes images from anywhere and creates images and things that are not unfolding in front of you; it’s literally the opposite of photojournalism,” Renie said. “We need real people to document because a computer can’t do that with emotion, with honesty and connection to educate, it’s just created from the void.”

A potential fear that occurs in the journalism industry due to the creation and use of AI is if it will eventually take the jobs of journalists. AI continues to “improve” every time it’s used and if it keeps getting smarter, there’s a chance it could be able to destroy the journalism industry. As a future journalist, I don’t want ChatGPT and other AI tools to take my career away because I believe it would be unfair and human writers are better as a whole than robot writers. Thankfully other journalists have the same fear as myself that AI is out for their jobs. 

“Journalism will always have an importance and matter,”  said Renie. “You can’t set aside the value of face to face journalists, journalists being members of the community, and getting your information from a real person, somebody who’s trustworthy. I think where AI could infringe on journalists’ jobs would be copy editing or doing quick pieces.”

Many people including myself believe that forms of AI, such as ChatGPT, are negatively affecting the journalism industry as a whole, limiting the critical thinking skills and creativity of writers and taking over their careers. And for everyone else, AI causes dependency, which will cause people to lose their sense of creativity.            

Are Parents Slowly Tearing Down Youth Soccer?

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by Joshua Crawley
Johns Creek High School

“Ref make the damn call!” Two minutes into the game and the parents were already going. “Referee how is that not a f****** foul?!” Maybe because the kid tripped over his own feet. “This ref is shit!” Not even halftime yet and I’ve heard everything and more. “Ref go to h***!” These are 9 year old kids out here playing recreational soccer, it can’t be that deep to you.

These were the kind of things I heard the first game I worked as an assistant referee. My first game ever. From the minute the first whistle was blown, it seemed like the parents were more worried about me than their own kids out on the field. They yelled and verbally abused me the whole game.

It ranged from screaming, to profanity, to things 8 year old kids just shouldn’t be hearing. Every time I made or didn’t make a call, it seemed like a fire went off behind me. I remember one dad slamming his hat on the ground and stomping and screaming at me and my other referees. Sometimes, they would even come up behind me and yell. 

Now that I have much more experience as a referee, I am more composed under circumstances like those. At the time though, the whole thing had me a little shaken. Not too long ago, I was refereeing a final of a tournament all by myself. The parents were worse than the first time, at one point a dad stepped onto the field arguing a call I made. At that point, I stopped the game for a minute and told the whole sideline to let the kids play. I tried to say it as confidently as I could, but under these circumstances, it became hard. 

This is just a small example of a bigger problem though. Across the United States, parents abusing referees is turning into a major problem. Just a few years ago in 2021 in California, a man angry about a call in a recreational game of 11 year olds ran across the field and decked a referee that was half of his size. The parent received a red card, but the issue was clear to see. Parents have gotten out of control in youth soccer.

 Another problem with this is that they teach their kids that this is ok. That it’s ok to act like that when you don’t get your way, that it’s ok to mistreat officials, that it’s ok to be aggressive with people whenever you want. At the end of the day, parents have to do better.

Sometimes, parents wonder why they don’t have enough referees. This is why. Earlier this year in February, in Pennsylvania, the state referee administrator announced that they were in need of many referees to let games go on as scheduled. CBS News reported that the main reason for the lack of referees stems from people unwilling to deal with unruly spectators. It’s not only Pennsylvania though, as across the country, referees are needed in many places. Many of these referees are teenagers, and when crowds of 50 year old men are yelling at us forever, it becomes a lot to deal with. 

Regardless of what’s happening on the field, parents’ behavior is not condoned. Even if referees do make mistakes, parents need to be patient. We don’t have all the technology and perfection required to get every single call spot on at the youth level. With that being said, referees are human and just like other people. Parents need to focus on cheering and supporting their kids and focusing on the game itself. The referees are there to make the game run, but lately parents seem to want to make the game about the refs. 

Since I was a kid, my parents have always respected referees, so I have followed suit. Other than the occasional “c’mon ref,” they don’t do too much. A “c’mon ref” is ok. What’s not ok is the screaming profanities, the inappropriate comments, and disrupting the flow of the game. My parents come to the game and cheer on my team. A bad call here and there goes unnoticed because the game is so fast and they make the game about us players. When parents stop worrying about the refs, the game flows and is a lot more enjoyable to watch. 

“Ref make the damn call!” Sometimes refs want to react, but they are told that is not their place. Solutions to this are hard to come by right now. For me one time out of all my times refereeing, an assignor came over and told the parent he needed to calm down or leave. That calmed the man down until the assignor was out of earshot, and then he was at it again. Parents are going to be parents, but they need to be better. 

Libraries necessary for free-flow of information

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by Marin Torres
Oconee High School

Every weekend my mom would make an effort to take my brothers and I to the library. I can only imagine what this looked like to other people. My mom would often bring a laundry basket filled to the brim with books, followed by three kids, all carrying books. The library played an integral role in my childhood and the childhood of many others.

In the current political climate, there have been efforts to defund government funding for libraries through budget cuts. According to PBS, the Missouri House voted to cut all funding for libraries in its version of the state’s annual budget. If this budget were to be passed, it would eliminate an estimated $4.5 million in funding for public libraries in Missouri. The state senate, however, rejected this budget and restored the library funds in the Missouri budget.

Although the budget for defunding the Missouri Library did not pass, the effort to defund public libraries still runs rampant. Lawmakers in Texas, Michigan, Iowa, and Indiana have all made the effort to try and defund their local libraries, whether that be through legislation, budget cuts, or lack of resources. 

Public libraries serve the public with unlimited books for both reading and research. Providing books free of charge can not only continually help underserved people, but can even foster a children’s love of reading. Libraries provide education and information to everyone, regardless of socio-economic status.

I had grown up at the library and I am a firm believer that the local library is what caused me to love reading. 

Ella Murrow, a resident of Watkinsville, Ga, recalls the library being one of the highlights of their childhood. “I remember loving the library and all the different kinds of activities they would hold,” they said, “when choosing books, it was like a choose your own adventure type of situation. There were endless opportunities of what books I could choose and what I wanted to read”

Accessible internet connection further continues to be a vital reason why libraries play an important role within communities. High speed internet access free of charge at libraries benefits students without access to the internet, families who do not have fast internet, and often, in rural areas, this can be the only source of internet for some people. This day in age, it is vital to have some sort of connection to the internet, and public libraries fill in this gap. 

According to a survey conducted by the Gates Foundation, nearly one-third of Americans age 14 or older–roughly 77 million people–used a public library computer or wireless network to access the Internet in the past year. Moreover, overall, 44 percent of people living below the federal poverty line used computers and the Internet at their public libraries.

Ensuring that people have access to the internet within the community is crucial in making sure that people have the equal opportunity to succeed. Public libraries across the country provide the essential need for the internet especially within rural and underserved areas.

In addition to access to internet connection, libraries often hold community events which supply educational resources on the use of the internet. Technology-related services, projects, and programs are also available at libraries. 

At libraries, there is often a sense of community that cannot be replicated. Many local libraries serve as a community center, with free, or low, cost in-person clubs and events the community can attend. This could include children storytime, to family game nights. Students can study at libraries which provide quiet, safe study environments. 

According to UNESCO, 250 million children are failing to acquire basic literacy skills. Not having basic literacy skills as a kid, will only continue to harm them as they grow older. Not acquiring basic literacy skills can be due to many factors, but one of the underlying factors is poverty. 

For less fortunate families who do not have the resources for their children, libraries hold a tremendous role in ensuring that kids are experiencing the important use of how to read and write. Through having storytimes open for the public, as well crafts related to books, helps foster a love of literature for kids. 

Many memories of mine are at the library looking through the endless shelves of books. I am forever grateful that my parents made an effort to take my brothers and I to the local library. The library is one of the most important institutions in our country. Not only does the library provide people with accessible internet and tools to help them succeed with their career and livelihood, the library provides endless opportunities to children within the community.

Are Underage Drinkers More Prone to Risks Such as Developing a Substance Use Disorder?

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Photo Credits: Adam Wilson

by Jadyn Barrow
Druid Hills High School

Each day, more and more underage young adults continue to be involved with the use of alcohol, whether it was due to peer pressure, stress, or problems regarding mental health. With more involvement, this leads to a higher chance of developing a substance use disorder. According to American Addiction Centers, 9.7 million young adults from the ages of 18 to 25 dealt with a substance use disorder.

According to National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a factor of young adults developing a substance use disorder is that they are unaware of the potential risks. Some of the risks include changes in brain development, alcohol poisoning, long-term effects on heart, lungs, pancreas, and kidneys and increased deaths and injuries. If more young adults become aware of the risks that come from drinking early on, many instances of underage drinking could be prevented. 

One problem many young adults don’t realize is that their surroundings can have an influence on their decisions. In situations where everyone is drinking, it’s easy to fall under peer pressure and the drinking habits of others can impact the underage. According to Cleveland Clinic, a 5% increase in adult binge drinking leads to a 12% increase in the chances that the children or teenagers around them will drink. 

With that being said, whether it’s involving drinking or not, your surroundings and peers tend to hold an influence on you. 

Researchers said in the NIAAA, “Evidence suggests that the most reliable predictor of a youth’s drinking behavior is the drinking behavior of his or her friends. Many research–based interventions target the child’s relevant behavioral skills, such as his or her ability to react appropriately to peer pressure to drink, as well as his or her knowledge, attitudes, and intentions regarding alcohol use.”

Many health consequences come with underage drinking, and that can vary from poor health issues as severe as changes in brain developments. Because the brain continues to develop into your 20s, the use of alcohol before that can mess up the full development. According to the NIAAA, underage drinking can ruin the brain structure and functions, such as causing learning problems. Due to this, the brain wouldn’t be able to function properly compared to the brain of a young adult who didn’t participate in underage drinking.

Photo Credits: Robina Weermeijer

Along with physical effects, underage drinking affects the emotional and behavioral well-being of an individual as well. The National Library of Medicine stated that involvement with alcohol at a young age can cause low self-esteem, depression and suicide. And it’s more common for mental health problems to occur in those who use alcohol at a young age. 

Dr. Avani K. Patel, a psychiatry resident at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, told the American Medical Association, “It can also worsen your psychiatric disorders if you’re experiencing anxiety or depression,” or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), she said. “It actually worsens PTSD and can be associated with other substance-use disorders, so you may pick up another substance to supplement what you’re already doing.”

Many people have different beliefs whether underage drinking is harmful to young adults or not. However, there are potential risks in underage drinking and it’s best to be aware before participating in such activities.

The Sound of Scandal: Cultural Impact of Celebrity Controversy  

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by Eliza Fox
Bethseda Chevy Chase High School

Can we still appreciate a masterpiece if its creator has committed disgraceful actions? I think that you can separate the art from the artist, appreciating their work doesn’t mean endorsing their behaviors. By drawing the line of separation we show our love for the art itself, not the creators personal beliefs.  

Kanye West, a well known rapper and producer is well known for his groundbreaking music and his controversial statements. In 2013 he made an appearance on the Breakfast Club, a New York radio show. When being interviewed he made an inappropriate antisemitic remark. 

Artists are still receiving the money, so stopping listening to an artist’s music is stopping yourself from listening to music you like. I do not support buying merch or going to concerts but I don’t believe that listening to the music for your own pleasure is wrong.

“Black people don’t have the same level of connections as Jewish people. Black people don’t have the same connections as oil people,” West said. “You know we don’t know nobody that got a nice house. You know we don’t know nobody with paper like that, that we can go to when we’re down.” 

I am Jewish, and my culture is very important to me. There have always been terrible stereotypes of Jewish people. They portray them as greedy or controlling. The stereotypes are not only hurtful but are also extremely discriminatory and affect how comfortable people are expressing their culture without getting hate. 

Celebrities often have a strong influence on their fans, particularly uneducated individuals who admire them. Some West fans adopted his views. 

On October 29, 2022 after the Florida-Georgia game, an individual projected a statement on the screen expressing their agreement with Kanye West’s anti-Semitic remarks, sparking a troubling wave of hateful comments. 

The Rolling Stone explains the numerous comments that West has made. From 2016 to 2024 Kanye West has made many comments that are not okay. These instances show a pattern of hate speech. West has quite a record of absurd comments. Although he suffers from Bipolar disorder it does not excuse his actions. 

West is not the only artist who has said controversial things, famous country artist Morgan Wallen has been arrested twice for reckless endangerment and arrested on public intoxication/disorderly conduct. According to People magazine, Wallen used racial slurs and had to publicly acknowledge and take full responsibility for his words. 

Wallen’s removal from Saturday Night Live serves as a key example of the consequences regarding his actions. His use of a racial slur led to quick repercussions, as society stood up against him. This is a great example of the importance of holding famous figures accountable.

West and Wallen are just two out of many artists that have done something wrong. I picked them as I enjoy both of their music. Although I do not believe what so ever with their words or actions. While still enjoying their music, it is crucial to acknowledge and remember their wrongdoing. As fans, it is important to still hold them accountable for their actions, it ensures that our appreciation for their talent doesn’t overthrow our core principles.

Is the movie industry slowly killing actors?

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by Ashley Burroughs
Arabia Mountain High School

On March 17, 2024 the documentary series “Quiet On Set:The Dark Side of Kids TV” came out and unveiled many  shocking truths of the entertainment industry. Children who grew up in the 1990s and early 2000s were hooked on  Nickelodeon, watching lighthearted shows that were filmed for kids and starred  kids. The documentary uncovered stories of workplace harassment that were both shocking and  heartbreaking to hear. 

Familiar stars like Drake Bell spoke out about the harassment that he faced when working with Nickelodeon show “Drake & Josh ” from 2004-2007. In particular, Bell discusses how his dialogue coach Brian Peck abused his power as an adult, leading to the actor having to go to court and speak out against him.

According to an article in EW, Bell’s father and manager, Joe Bell, immediately felt that something was off with Peck. “I started to see Brian just start to hang around Drake too much, and it didn’t sit well with me.Drake would be in the dressing room or something, and in would pop Brian, and just touch Drake, you know, do things that, wait a second. What are you doing? Drake can put that on himself.”

“The thing is, this is in front of people,” Bell said. “Then he’d maybe walk over to Drake and be feeding him some lines or whatever, and put his arm around his waist. Put his hand up on his shoulder, and kinda run it down his arm, and things like that. And this would happen routinely. It was just always uncomfortable.”

Another workplace stress impacting young actors is the intense demand placed on them to be in character. Heath Ledger, who played the Joker in the 2008 The Dark Knight movie, ultimately died of an overdose.dRumors immediately circulated that his drug addiction was fueled by his attempts to try to get into the character of the Joker. 

Although these rumors have been refuted by his family, Ledger was open about the difficulties he had getting into character — a “psychopathic, mass murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy.” According to the UK Treatment Centre, “Ledger isolated himself for weeks to prepare for the role, delving into the character’s twisted mind. He famously kept a diary where he noted the Joker’s thoughts and feelings, helping him to embody the character’s anarchic spirit fully. This method-acting approach allowed Ledger to bring a level of detail and nuance to the unprecedented role. His Joker was not just a villain; he was a portrayal of chaos and unpredictability, a character with depth, intelligence and a disturbing sense of humor.

The movie industry pressures actors and makes actors believe that “it’s all or nothing” so the actors will do anything, even enduring abuse or adopting dangerous habits to play a role perfectly. If the industry doesn’t make changes to protect young actors at the start of their career, they will cause irreparable damage to not only the children they are supposed to support, but also the industry as a whole.

In the spotlight

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by Eliza Fox
Bethesda Chevy Chase High School

You’re on the starting block, with thousands watching you in person and millions watching you on live TV. One millisecond. That’s what can separate you from the athlete next to you, from giving you a chance to fulfill your dream of competing in the Olympics. The pressure is intense. 

Photo by Bradly Steiner

How should you cope with this?

Treat it like any other race.

“The best thing you can do is to not make it a bigger deal than it is,” said Coach Blanken, Bethesda Chevy Chase, ASA and River Falls swim coach. “Because at the end of the day — whether it’s a 50 freestyle or 200 backstroke —, it’s the same [event] that you did, and you know, even if it was two years ago, it’s the same swim from the last time. It’s just a different pool under a different set of lights, but the actual activity is the same. So treat it that way.”

Ranked first in the class of 2026 in Maryland, 16 year-old Virginia Hinds, secured her place in this week’s Olympic trials with a time of 2:13.14 in the 200 backstroke. Hinds swims for the ASA (All Star Aquatics), Bethesda Chevy Chase’s Varsity team, as well as CCRA. 

The trials are a big event on the swimming schedule and attract big TV audiences. Despite her young age, Hinds seems to be heeding her coach’s advice and taking the pressure and attention in stride. 

“There’s a good amount of pressure sometimes but for me I just try to not think about the pressure and have fun,” Hinds said. “At the end of the day, as long as I’m having fun and happy with my races that’s all that matters to me.”

Hinds is following closely in the footsteps of Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky. Both are determined and hard working swimmers who hold many swimming records. Hinds spends the majority of her time in the water, and started swimming because of her older sister, Clara. 

“I’ve looked up to my sister mainly because she is the reason I started swimming and is always my biggest supporter,” Hinds said. 

Maryland Olympic swimmers Phoebe Bacon and Katie Ledecky swam at the same Stone Ridge Pool where Hinds currently trains. Bacon and Ledecky began their remarkable journeys to Olympic success at the Stone Ridge pool, a hot spot of Maryland talent. The state’s strong swimming community and facilities have provided an essential platform for swimmers to develop their skills and move to competing in the US Olympic trials.

Kristinia Lennox swam for Puerto Rico in the 2008 Olympics. Lennox coached GDS High School, NCAP Gold lll as well as the Somerset Dolphins, coaching many swimmers keeping Maryland swimming strong. She was 23 years old when she swam in the Olympics held in Beijing.

Photo by Bradly Steiner

“[Even though] the people are from different nations, the language is the same,” Lennox said. “We all knew how to get up on blocks, set up and go. That’s universal, but it’s just different and definitely very intimidating.”  

A former Spanish swimmer Dario Fuentes agreed the pressure around swimming is very intense. As there is a lot of tension within each swimmer. 

“We trained for four years to reach our goal that may be decided in less than a minute race,” Fuentes said.

Although Hinds just missed qualifying for the Olympics in 2024, Blanken is proud of his swimmer. “It’s just an unbelievable accomplishment,” he said of her 5th place finish. “And it’s one that she’ll have with her forever. She is in a very, very small group of people that can say that they got that far, it’s very difficult to make. So it’s really cool to see.”

Behind the Scenes of the Dance World

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by Avery Staus
The Walker School

Growing up as a competitive dancer, I have struggled with my confidence and self image. I am always striving to be a better dancer, comparing myself to others, constantly feeling judged and never truly satisfied with my progress. I used to fear forgetting choreography or costumes as I didn’t want to disappoint my teachers, friends or parents. 

However, after spending hours of each day at my second home, Rhythm Dance Center, I have found supportive friends and teachers who desire nothing more than to see me succeed and I have broken outside of my comfort zone. There is no better feeling than cheering your team on, crying during a heartbreaking moment or laughing uncontrollably over

each other’s jokes. Unfortunately, this is not the case for most dancers.

A 2023 study by the National Library of Medicine states, “One in five (20.8%) dancers had at least moderate symptoms of either depression, generalized anxiety disorder or eating disorders.”

Dancers struggle with poor body image and mental health due to many factors. A typical dance studio layout includes floor to ceiling length mirrors and ballet barres. A 2023 study at Santa Clara University states that mirrors can be beneficial for fixing technique, but they also lead to constant self-criticism and obsession over small details. 

While taking a typical ballet class, teachers survey the room, adjusting placement and giving dancers helpful critiques or positive reinforcement. However, comments such as, “I can see your lunch” or “tuck in your stomach” can cause students to develop unhealthy relationships with food. Dancers may even be punished if their bodies do not comply with the “ideal” dancer body. 

Specifically in the competition world, it is common to see young dancers wear revealing costumes consisting of booty shorts, bra tops and large cutouts. There is a wide range of sexualization at dance competitions, and few studios have policies requiring “age appropriate” costumes, themes and music. 

The dance world is competitive, elitist and intense. However, social media has helped change unrealistic beauty standards for dancers, and the industry has started taking action towards more inclusivity. Although many studios and teachers are trying to correct their traditional ways, there is still an immense amount of progress to be made. 

Dance is a beautiful art form and way of expression, and it should be an opportunity for escaping stress, not creating stress.